Page 79 of Atlas & Miles
Sam’s story was fascinating, and we ended up chatting as a group for a while afterward. I found myself laughing at Tristan’s and Nate’s antics, clearly the most fun-loving of the group, as they talked animatedly about some online game they played together. I understood none of what they were saying.
But every so often, I’d glance over at Anson to see him grumping at Nate about something he did or said, and hisdisposition made me miss Miles fiercely, a burning in my chest that only lessened when I joined another conversation.
I ended up doing a lot of talking.
My second drink was gone, and while it was time to sober up, I was still thirsty from said talking, so I went up to bar for something non-alcoholic. I stepped toward the end of the counter furthest away from the dance floor, where the music wasn’t so loud and I could hold a conversation, and smiled when Henry made his way over to me at once.
“Hi,” he started, offering his hand over the bar. “I saw you with the DASC but didn’t catch your name. I’m Henry.”
I shook his hand, my smile widening. “Atlas. It’s good to meet you officially.” I glanced over my shoulder at the booth. They were all cracking up, presumably at something Nate had said given the way his hands were currently flailing above his head as he spoke. “They’re really great.”
Henry was smiling sweetly when I turned back to him. “They really are.” After a moment of what I could only describe as wistful staring, Henry cleared his throat and turned back to me. “Anyway, what can I get you?”
I slid onto a stool near me, thinking I could use a few minutes of reprieve from peopling in a group setting. Anson’s growling at Nate was starting to prick at me a little too hard, and my chest was feeling raw. “Sparkling water with lime?”
Henry nodded. “Coming up.”
As he filled a tumbler from the soda gun, a voice on the stool beside me spoke up. “Fancy seeing you here.”
My heart stuttered, breath catching as my head whipped around and my eyes shot toward the owner of that voice.
The bear—yes,thatbear—sat right next to me in a white dress shirt, a stylish patterned tie loosened around his neck, and gray suit pants. His jacket was hanging off the bar top on the other side of him. His reddish beard was expertly groomed, as it hadbeen when we’d hooked up all those months ago, and his hazel eyes sparkled above rosy cheeks.
He chuckled when I gasped. “Hello again.”
I just blinked at him, my mouth open slightly. How was he . . . ? What was the likelihood of seeing . . . ? What . . . h-how—when?
My entire system had frozen, and I needed a reboot before I could sound like a normal person.
Thankfully, he let out a self-deprecating breathy chuckle and scrubbed a hand down his beard, cheeks heating. “I don’t believe I caught your name.”
I blinked a few more times, shaking my head to clear the cobwebs enough to answer him. Henry sliding my glass—with a lime wedge perfectly balanced on the edge—across the bar helped break through my shock, too. “A-Atlas. My name is Atlas.” I swiveled on the stool and extended my free hand to him, proud of myself for recovering as quickly as I had under the circumstances.
He clasped my outstretched hand in his, gripping it firmly but gently. “Colton.”
I blinked but pressed on. “So what brings you to Seattle, Colton?”
His smile was sweet. “My buddy owns an advertising firm here locally, and he offered me a job. I couldn’t figure out a good enough reason to stay in South Carolina, so here I am.” He spread his arms out between us as if to present himself. The effect was a little adorable. “You?”
I laughed genially, reaching to take a sip of my water. “My story is quite similar, actually. Despite the not having a good enough reason to stay, sadly.”Ugh, why the fuck did I say that?
Thankfully, Colton just flashed a sympathetic smile. “I take it you didn’t have any more unfortunate mishaps?”
I choked on my water then started laughing. “Oh my god, I can’t believe you brought that up!”
He grinned, his smile wide and playful. His eyes were still sparkling as he shrugged. “Figured we should address the elephant in the room.”
My eyes had teared up a little with my laughter, but I’d calmed enough to speak. I coughed to ensure I wouldn’t choke again. “That’s a pretty big-ass elephant.”
He laughed, nodding at my glass. “Sorry I almost made you snort water up your nose.”
Iactuallysnorted at that. “I’ll just have to pay you back someday.”
He hummed, looking down at his amber-colored drink. He swirled his stirrers through the liquid for a few moments before turning back to me. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Yes, I got it off.”
Colton barked out a laugh. “Now who’s being ridiculous?”
